Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

In the wise words of Solange Knowles: “When you take care of yourself, you’re a better person for others. When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better.” 

Massage therapy is an essential act of self-care for some and a critical method of injury prevention or treatment for others. Whether choosing massage therapy to treat oneself or to manage a health condition, the physical and mental health benefits are widely known and increasingly included in healthcare practices.

Massage therapy is a great place to begin for those interested in entry-level healthcare careers. Massage therapists care for clients’ healthcare needs by manipulating muscles and soft tissues to promote healing. It is a career that requires full-body dexterity as massage therapists use not only their hands, but also their elbows, fingers, forearms, and occasionally knees and feet to do their jobs. 

Massage therapists must be able to quickly set up and work around massage tables, drape and rotate patients during a massage, keep client records, make appointments, transport equipment, and select essential oils and lotions to suit the healing and personal needs of a client and their ailments. Massage therapists must also have exceptional communication skills in order to learn what their clients are seeking from massage treatment and to be able to verbally check-in during the treatment to know how the client is feeling and adjust accordingly if needed. 

The demand for massage therapists is increasing and data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023) estimates that 24,600 new positions will be needed between 2022 and 2032; this demonstrates an occupational rate of growth of 18 percent for the massage industry, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations during the same period (3 percent). 

Read on to learn more about what it takes to become a massage therapist.

Massage therapy programs offer degrees and certificates that can be earned at two-year colleges or private trade schools and institutions. Most educational and training programs in massage therapy require 500 to 1,000 (or more) hours of study and hands-on experience. Some programs offer instruction in general massage techniques while others teach specialty massage skills that enable professionals to use specific types of techniques to heal or treat certain ailments. 

Specializations in massage therapy include: 

• Acupressure
• Deep tissue 
• Feldenkrais method
• Hot stone 
• Infant 
• Lymphatic 
• Manual lymphatic drainage 
• Medical therapy
• Myofascial release 
• Prenatal
• Reflexology
• Reiki 
• Rolfing
• Shiatsu 
• Spa
• Sports 
• Swedish 
• Thai
• Trigger point

Massage therapists who earn a specialization in one or more therapeutic techniques can tailor their massage therapy practice to their career interests or pivot into other career opportunities.

Admissions requirements for educational institutions vary, but here is a general list of requirements to guide students who are applying to massage therapy programs: 

• Application
• Application fee
• Campus visit
• Copy of driver’s license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID
• Interview
• Official high school diploma or GED (for bachelor’s degree programs)
• Personal essay or statement
• Recommendation letters from academic or professional references
• Resume

A list of featured and accredited massage therapy educational programs is included below.

When choosing an educational pathway, it is important to consider whether programs and institutions are accredited. Schools and programs holding accreditation have proven that they meet the highest standards of academic and professional integrity. Students, staff and faculty, and future employers all benefit from investing their time, tuition, and talents in an accredited educational program.  

The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) is a national accrediting agency for the massage therapy profession. Other massage therapy programs may be accredited by nationally-recognized agencies that accredit allied health or similar trade school programs. 

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has a list of all nationally-approved accrediting agencies that national standards have approved.

Community College of Philadelphia 

The Community College of Philadelphia offers a comprehensive Massage Therapy program designed to meet the Commonwealth’s requirements for massage therapy training and state licensure. The program includes 604 hours of in-class instruction encompassing a wide range of subjects such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, massage therapy and bodywork assessment, professional ethics, business, and law related to a massage therapy practice, as well as necessary contact hours in related courses like cardiopulmonary resuscitation. 

The program, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, requires applicants to be 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete the application process, and submit all required documentation. 

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Duration: Six semesters 
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Mountain State School of Massage

The Mountain State School of Massage in Charleston, West Virginia is a state-of-the-art certified massage therapy training center. Dedicated to teaching holistic healing, the Mountain State School of Massage focuses on quality teaching and emphasizes professionalism in its curriculum. 

Offering day and night programs and financial assistance for qualified students, individualized programs are offered to ensure professional proficiency to benefit future clients’ minds, bodies, and spirits. 

The school is dedicated to preparing its students for a wide range of careers and specializations in massage therapy, featuring post-program services such as alumni networking, continuing education, and a community spa program to help students earn clinical hours. Affiliated with the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), students are prepared for licensure and successful careers as holistic massage therapy practitioners upon completing the program. 

• Location: Charleston, WV
• Duration: 775 hours 
• Accreditation: Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)

Rizzieri Aveda School of Massage

The Rizzieri Aveda School of Massage in Voorhees, New Jersey provides a balanced blend of the arts and sciences in its massage therapy program curriculum. Aiming to integrate relaxation and clinical care, this massage therapy program builds on well-rounded practices to help massage therapy practitioners promote wellness as a lifestyle for their clients. 

Part- and full-time enrollment options are available to meet the needs of individual students. Advanced modules such as maternity massage, typically considered an add-on specialization, are included in this curriculum. The student clinic includes all aspects of a professional day spa environment giving students work experience with business-related aspects of massage therapy. Continuing education courses are available to those possessing a massage certificate including a study group for the national MBLEx licensing exam. New sessions begin throughout the year, and financial assistance options are available.

• Location: Voorhees, NJ
• Duration: Six to eleven months 
• Accreditation: Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)

International Career Institute

The International Career Institute (ICI) offers an engaging and comprehensive online massage course. This program is designed to cultivate skills in various aspects of massage therapy, including human anatomy, physiology, the effects and benefits of massage, equipment and product usage, and many specialized massage techniques. The course is ideal for those already immersed in the health and fitness industry or those aspiring to embark on a career in massage therapy. 

The curriculum is structured to facilitate learning at the student’s pace, making it a convenient option for distance learning. Upon completion, graduates receive a diploma, transcripts, and a letter of recommendation. The program has gained recognition and accreditation from the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC) and the Complementary Medical Association (CMA). Additionally, the program provides job search assistance to its students and offers flexible enrollment cut-off dates. 

• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Duration: 24 weeks
• Accreditation: International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC)

U.S. Career Institute Massage Therapy School

The U.S. Career Institute Massage Therapy School is a four-month program offered in a hybrid learning environment. Students enrolled in the full, enhanced course learn from academic and hands-on training courses. Through completion of a 200-hour hands-on massage therapy training at their Fort Collins, Colorado location, students are prepared to sit for the MBLEx national massage therapy exam. 

Approved by the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA), a career-training service for military spouses, the U.S. Career Institute Massage Therapy School allows students to choose from electronic or paper materials. The course outline includes five units that build upon each other and give students didactic and practical hands-on knowledge. Students can enroll in an academic-only option which provides a letter of achievement or the enhanced option which awards a certificate of completion. 

• Location: Fort Collins, CO
• Duration: 625 hours 
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) 

Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington offers online and hybrid courses in their massage therapy certificate program. Eight courses comprise the program’s core, including instruction in kinesiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology. Students who opt for the hybrid program can expect to view lectures online and attend laboratory classes on campus. Massage techniques in the curriculum prepare students to perform basic Swedish, deep tissue, sports, chair, and pregnancy massage. 

Students graduating from this program are well-prepared to sit for their certification exams as evidenced by the 92.8 percent first-attempt pass rate averaged over the past five years. With innovative learning opportunities off-campus in a cadaver lab and work-based learning opportunities, this massage therapy program graduates are well-prepared to help their future clients reconnect their minds and bodies. 

• Location: Bellingham, WA
• Duration: Nine months
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Massage therapy programs typically take less than a year to complete or longer if students decide to pursue specialization certificates in massage therapy. Most post-secondary programs in massage therapy require students to complete 500 to 1,000 (or more) hours including didactic classroom learning and hands-on practicum experience. 

A list of state requirements for massage therapy program hours can be found on the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) website.

Step One: Graduate from High School or Earn a GED (Four Years)

Earning a high school diploma is a basic requirement for many rewarding careers and is a requirement for admission for most college and trade school programs. Taking anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry courses can help high school students prepare for a career in massage therapy.

Step Two: Earn a Certificate or Degree in Massage Therapy (One Year or More) 

Complete a degree from an accredited school or educational program featuring didactic coursework and practical experience. The Commission ideally accredits these programs on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), but a student’s institution of choice should at least be approved by a regional body recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Education.

Step Three: Complete Practicum Hours (One Year or More)

Depending on the state of residence, graduates from massage therapy programs may have to complete a certain number of practical experience hours before they can apply for licensure exams (500 to 1,000).

Step Four: Pass Licensing Examinations (One Year or Less)

Licensure in massage therapy is required in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is the national entry-level licensure exam. In addition to passing the MBLEx, other licensing activities and documentation may be required.

See detailed information on credentialing in the section below.

Step Five: Pursue a Specialized Certification (Timeline Varies)

Often earned in addition to a degree in massage therapy, specialized certifications can be earned as continuing education credit or as a unique professional credential to help a massage therapy professional’s abilities stand out, to work in a specific environment, or work with certain types of clients.

Through physical touch using special techniques, massage therapists manipulate muscles and soft tissues to promote healing, relieve pain, improve circulation, and promote relaxation in their clients. 

A list of typical responsibilities for a massage therapist includes the following: 

• Doing verbal and written intakes with clients to learn more about their discomfort, medical history, and desired objectives for massage therapy
• Complete physical evaluations to locate discomfort and tension in clients’ bodies
• Manipulate muscles and soft tissues
• Communicate with clients regarding their preferences for increased or decreased pressure
• Provide follow up recommendations for hydration, relaxation, physical therapy, and other related healing modalities
• Document progress 
• Make appointments 

Massage therapists work wherever physical healing happens. Many massage therapists are self-employed, but some work as employees in fitness centers, hospitals, clinics, day spas, hotel resort spas, cruise ships, and athletic teams. Some massage therapists work from home or travel to their clients’ homes to provide treatment.

Licensure requirements for massage therapists vary from state to state. Aspiring massage therapists should research what procedures and examinations are required for professional licensure in massage therapy in an individual’s current or future state of residence. 

The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) organization reports that 43 states require licensure, as does the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A summary of the requirements for licensure of massage therapy professionals in each state can be found on the ABMP website. 

Common examinations include the MBLEx or board certification and specialization from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). 

It is worth noting that a certificate from the NCBTMB does not replace state licensure. Still, it does prove the programmatic educational quality and ensure that a massage therapy professional has met requirements beyond those required for the initial program. Upon earning licensure, many massage therapists use the credential licensed massage therapist (LMT) to represent their level of training and professionalism. 

Salaries for massage therapists depend on work environment, education, certification and licensure, professional experience, self-reported earnings, and the cost of living by city. Annual earnings also depend on part- and full-time work schedules. Tips and access to free or discounted massage therapy may be included as part of a contract within a working environment that employs several massage therapists. 

Massage therapists generally earn a median annual salary of $57,060 (BLS 2022). Entry-level or part-time massage therapists typically earn $29,040 per year or less (10th percentile). Top-level earners (90th percentile)—with more years of work experience and specialization—are reported to earn $90,530 or more annually. 

Salary percentiles are as follows: 

• 10th percentile: $29,040
• 25th percentile: $39,080
• 50th percentile (median): $49,860
• 75th percentile: $67,300
• 90th percentile: $90,530

Here are three career alternatives with adjacent pathways to massage therapy. 

Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from young children to soldiers and professional athletes. This position often involves applying protective or injury-preventive devices such as tape, bandages, and braces. 

• Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Licensing or Certifying Organization: Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer 

Physical Therapy Assistant

Physical therapist assistant could be a great fit for a massage therapist looking for a change. In this role, PT assistants work under the direction of a physical therapist, helping patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses. The job requires a lot of physical stamina and good interpersonal skills. 

• Typical Education: Associate degree
• Licensing or Certifying Organization:  Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation Aide

Rehabilitation aides assist patients in recovery, helping improve their mobility and manage pain following an injury, surgery, or due to chronic conditions. It’s a role that can be rewarding as you contribute to a patient’s healing process. 

• Typical Education: High school diploma and additional training
• Licensing or Certifying Organization: Varies by state

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

At HealthcareDegree.com, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth and insightful articles since 2019, aiding prospective students to navigate the complexities of choosing the right healthcare degree. Her recent work includes topics such as the ethics of gene editing and physician assistant’s fight for autonomy.

Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.